Question

in the context of poetry, what is the best definition of tone?
the readers response to the emotions in the poem
the speakers attitude toward the subject of the poem
the use of alliteration, repetition, rhythm, and rhyme
the use of words that sound like the things they denote

Explanation:

In poetry, tone is the speaker's attitude towards the subject. It's not about the reader's response, or poetic devices like alliteration, repetition, rhythm, rhyme, nor onomatopoeia (words that sound like what they denote).

Answer:

the speaker's attitude toward the subject of the poem